Photographer's Note

Rome - Sant'Agnese in Agone

From Wikipedia:

Sant'Agnese in Agone (also called Sant'Agnese in Piazza Navona) is a 17th-century Baroque church in Rome, Italy. It faces onto the Piazza Navona, one of the main urban spaces in the historic centre of the city and the site where the Early Christian Saint Agnes was martyred in the ancient Stadium of Domitian. Construction began in 1652 under the architects Girolamo Rainaldi and his son Carlo Rainaldi. After numerous quarrels, the other main architect involved was Francesco Borromini.

History
The rebuilding of the church was begun in 1652 at the instigation of Pope Innocent X whose family palace, the Palazzo Pamphili, faced onto the piazza and was adjacent to the site of the new church. The church was to be effectively a family chapel annexed to their residence (for example, an opening was formed in the drum of the dome so the family could participate in the religious services from their palace).
The first designs for a centralised Greek Cross church were prepared by the Pamphili family architect, Girolamo Rainaldi, and his son Carlo Rainaldi in 1652. They reorientated the main entrance to the church from the Via Santa Maria dell’Anima, a street set one urban block away from the piazza, to the Piazza Navona, a large urban space that Innocent was transforming into a showcase associated with his family. It had been the intention to build the new church over the old church which would become the crypt; this meant the new church was to be raised well above piazza level, but this idea was abandoned once construction started. The original drawings are lost but it is thought that the Piazza Navona facade design included a narthex between two towers and broad stairs descending to the piazza.
Harsh criticism was made of the design, including the steps down to the piazza which were thought to project excessively, so Carlo Rainaldi eliminated the narthex idea and substituted a concave facade so that the steps would not be so intrusive. The idea of the twin towers framing a central dome may be indebted to Bernini's bell towers on the facade of Saint Peter's basilica. Nonetheless, Rainaldi's design of a concave facade and a central dome framed by twin towers was influential on subsequent church design in Northern Europe. In 1653, the Rainaldis were replaced by Borromini.
Borromini had to work with the Rainaldi ground plan but made adjustments; on the interior for instance, he positioned columns towards the edges of the dome piers which had the effect of creating a broad base to the dome pendentives instead of the pointed base which was the usual Roman solution.] His drawings show that on the façade to Piazza Navona, he designed curved steps descending to the piazza, the convex curvature of which play against the concave curvature of the façade to form an oval landing in front of the main entrance. His façade was to have eight columns and a broken pediment over the entrance. He designed the flanking towers as single storey above which there was to be a complex arrangement of columns and convex bays with balustrades.
By the time of Innocent's death in 1655, the façade had reached the top of the lower order. Innocent's nephew, Camillo Pamphili, failed to take interest in the church and Borromini became disheartened, eventually leading to his resignation in 1657.
Carlo Rainaldi was reappointed and made a number of modifications to Borromini's design including an additional storey to the flanking towers and simplifying their uppermost parts. On the death of Camillo, his wife Olympia (Aldobrandini), commissioned Bernini to take over. He was responsible for the straightforward pediment above the main entrance and for the emphatic entablature in the interior.
In 1668, Olympia's son, Camillo, took over responsibility for the church. He reinstated Carlo Rainaldi as architect and engaged Ciro Ferri to create frescoes for the interior of the dome. Further decorations were added; there were large scale sculptures and polychrome marble effects. None of these are likely to have been intended by Borromini.

Hello Romano,
this is very well known place and it has been photographed probably many times, but your different low point of view makes it quite original. The sculpture in the foreground dominates the whole composition but the church behind is also in perfect focus. All these placed against immaculate blue sky make the photo stand out from the crowd.
Well done!
Kamila

Hi Romano
the perfect POV this. So much amazing detail and presence in this stunning capture. For F4 the DOF is just incredible with no loss of sharpness. Roman architecture and beauty captured superbly. Love it!

Hi Romano
A majestic capture and a grand statue in all respects gorgeous, with interesting narrative taken from good low view point to give such large size, depth and link to the background building. The detail is brilliant with some wonderful rich tones and strong contrast. A fine piece of architecture given its age and really looks great. Superb capture and tfs
Best regards

Buona sera Romano,
fantastic view upwards include the mable statue and dome from its facade and entrance to the turrets.
Great sharpness and fine light management. The water seem so real on photo.
Pleasent to look at.
Bravo,
Ike

Hello Romano,
Piazza Navona is magnificent subject for photographers and provides us with many great photo opportunities.
I like your composition here and the way you presented to us this famous fountain and the church.
Excellently chosen perspective and close-up make the view absolutely amazing!
Also quality of the image is remarkable.

Hello Romano,
Lovely view of wonderful architecture and artwork all over the frame. The statues present exquisite and sublime artwork, which I believe will be difficult to reproduce in this age of machines. Excellent clarity and image quality. The bright blue sky is contrasting the buildings nicely. Excellent photo thanks for sharing.
Regards,
Subho

Ciao Romano,
this is such a beautiful square! I remember I took hundreds of photos with this fountain and the church behind -in the pre-digital times. You captured it in a great light here. Everything is so clear, sharp and colorful. Great combination of the fountain and the architecture behind. It works very rich and attractive.
Excellent work,
M

Hello Romano,
You succeeded in showing us an original view of the famous Piazza Navona.
The steep upward view shows us the details of different well-known monuments,
the church of Sant'Agnese in Agone, a part of the great obelisk and on the foreground a beautiful statue of the Fountain of the Four Rivers.
Very well composed and executed.
Best regards, Paul

Ciao Romano,
Excellent detailed introductory note to this beautiful photo.
Excellently captured church from very well selected viewpoint. The view from lover angle makes the church majestic and dominant. The light is perfect, the contrast against blue sky superb. Well done.
Greetings
Miro

Hi Romano
when it comes to Rome, all I can say is give me more give me more!
Classic architecture, Classic statues, splendid light and the scene is full of charm/elegance.
want to see it for real sometime.
cheers
craig

Both times I've visited Rome the church was covered in scaffolding. :( I had always wanted to take a picture similar to this one, and so I will gladly admire yours until I can return. :) A wonderful combination of the two most prominent subjects in Piazza Navona, and this has been done with sharp focus, even light and plenty of blue sky for color and contrast. A delightful and impressive perspective. Have a great day ahead.